Decoding Combat: Can You Double Block First Strike?

Yes, you absolutely can double block (or even triple, quadruple, etc.) a creature with first strike in Magic: The Gathering. However, the effectiveness of this strategy depends heavily on the creatures involved and their stats. While double blocking a first strike creature seems intuitive, the mechanics of the combat phase in Magic often make for some surprising results.

Understanding First Strike & Combat Damage

The key to understanding how double blocking interacts with first strike lies in how the combat damage step is structured. Creatures with first strike deal their combat damage in a separate, earlier combat damage step. Only creatures with first strike or double strike participate in this initial step. If a first strike creature is blocked by multiple creatures, it assigns its combat damage to them in an order chosen by the attacking player.

The Defensive Double Block Scenario

Imagine an attacking 1/1 creature with first strike being blocked by two 1/1 creatures without first strike. Here’s how it plays out:

1. First Combat Damage Step: The 1/1 with first strike deals 1 damage. The attacking player gets to decide how the damage is distributed. In most cases, all 1 damage will be assigned to one of the 1/1 blockers, killing it.

2. Second Combat Damage Step: The remaining 1/1 blocker deals 1 damage to the attacking 1/1 creature with first strike, killing it.

In this simple scenario, the defending player effectively traded two 1/1 creatures for one 1/1 creature with first strike. This is often a favorable trade for the defender, especially if the attacking creature was particularly valuable due to other abilities or synergy within the attacker’s deck.

Double Blocking Deathtouch

The strategy takes on even greater significance when a creature with deathtouch is involved. Deathtouch means any amount of damage a creature deals is enough to destroy the creature it damages. A 1/1 with deathtouch and first strike is a major threat.

Suppose you’re facing a 2/2 creature with first strike and deathtouch. If you only block with one creature, it will be destroyed during the first combat damage step. However, if you double block with two creatures, both without first strike, here’s what could happen:

1. First Combat Damage Step: The 2/2 with first strike and deathtouch assigns 1 damage to each of the blockers. Because of deathtouch, both blockers are destroyed.

2. Second Combat Damage Step: Since there are no surviving blockers, there will be no second combat damage step for the blocker

While both of your creatures are destroyed, you have successfully prevented the attacker from dealing damage to you or a Planeswalker, which can be crucial in stalling an opponent’s assault. This highlights the strategic depth of the combat phase. Understanding the interaction of abilities like first strike and deathtouch is vital for successful gameplay.

Maximizing Blockers

Consider also that the defending player does not assign the amount of damage blocked, rather the attacking player assigns damage dealt. So if the attacking player does not assign enough damage to kill the first blocker, then it survives, and the attacker assigns damage to the second blocker.

Double Strike and First Strike

A creature with both double strike and first strike effectively just has double strike. The double strike mechanic already covers dealing damage in both the first and second combat damage steps. Adding first strike is redundant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Does double strike stack with first strike?

No, it does not. If a creature has double strike, giving it first strike doesn’t add any additional benefit. It already deals damage in the first combat damage step due to double strike. Double strike already handles hitting in both steps.

Q2: Can you double strike double strike?

No. Multiple instances of double strike on the same creature are redundant. One instance of double strike is all that’s needed to deal damage in both combat damage steps.

Q3: How does First Strike Deathtouch work with multiple blockers?

If a creature with first strike and deathtouch is blocked by multiple creatures, the attacking player assigns the damage. Because of deathtouch, any creature dealt damage by it is destroyed. The attacking player can assign damage to the blockers in a way that kills all creatures being blocked.

Q4: Can blockers have double strike?

Yes, blockers can have double strike. It works exactly as you’d expect during the combat damage steps. The blockers deal damage during the first combat damage step (along with the attacker if it has first strike or double strike) and again during the second combat damage step.

Q5: Is double strike better than first strike?

In most cases, yes. A creature with double strike effectively gets two opportunities to deal damage, making it significantly more powerful than a creature with just first strike.

Q6: How does First Strike and Deathtouch work together?

A creature with first strike and deathtouch is exceptionally potent. It deals its damage in the first combat damage step, and any creature it damages is immediately destroyed due to deathtouch. This often allows it to take out blockers before they can deal damage back.

Q7: Is first strike and double strike redundant?

Yes, in most cases, they are. The double strike ability inherently includes the functionality of first strike.

Q8: Does first strike beat Deathtouch?

It can. If a creature with first strike deals enough damage to destroy a blocking creature with deathtouch in the first combat damage step, the deathtouch creature won’t have a chance to deal damage. However, if the first strike creature doesn’t deal lethal damage, the deathtouch creature will deal damage back in the regular combat damage step.

Q9: Does Deathtouch work with fight?

Yes. When a creature with deathtouch fights another creature, any amount of damage it deals is enough to destroy the other creature. Both creatures deal damage simultaneously, but the creature damaged by deathtouch is still destroyed.

Q10: Does Double Strike beat Deathtouch?

Creatures with deathtouch deal damage during the regular combat damage step. Fortunately, if you block a creature with deathtouch with a creature with first strike or double strike, your creature will deal damage during the first strike damage step, before the deathtouch creature can return fire.

Q11: Does trample work when blocking?

No, trample only applies when a creature is attacking. When blocking, trample has no effect.

Q12: Can you stack first strike?

No. Additional instances of first strike are redundant.

Q13: What happens if you double block a creature with first strike?

As discussed earlier, the attacking player assigns the damage from the first strike creature. The effectiveness of this strategy depends on the relative power and toughness of the creatures involved.

Q14: Does fight ignore first strike?

Yes, damage dealt during a “fight” is not combat damage, so abilities like first strike and double strike do not apply.

Q15: Does first strike negate trample?

Yes, first strike can stop trample in certain situations. If a creature with first strike deals enough damage to destroy all blocking creatures, there will be no excess damage to trample over to the defending player.

The Importance of Context

While understanding these individual interactions is helpful, it’s crucial to remember that Magic is a game of context. The best blocking strategy always depends on the specific cards in play, the state of the board, and your overall game plan. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your experiences!

To further enhance your knowledge of game-based learning and the science of engagement, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society: GamesLearningSociety.org.